SMC tussle over funds

TT, Siliguri: Mayor Asok Bhattacharya said on Friday he had written to all councillors of the  (SMC) to visit Calcutta together for meetings with ministers and officials to seek funds for the civic body.

"We want all councillors to join hands and visit Calcutta, meet the municipal affairs minister and some others in the government, and seek funds for development work. That is why I have sent a letter to all councillors," the mayor said.

Bhattacharya's move comes a day after the 18 Trinamul councillors met tourism minister and Darjeeling district (plains) party president Gautam Deb, alleging the Left-run civic board was not providing funds for their wards. It was decided that they would meet ministers and approach the departments concerned for the funds.

"The mayor seems to have made a counter-move to mount pressure on the Trinamul councillors, the principal opposition at SMC, by inviting them to join hands on the same issue. They will have to make the decision now as it is obvious that if they stick to Thursday's decision of moving on their own, the Left councillors will make it an issue," said an observer.

The mayor urged minister Deb to "lead" the visits and said the SMC is yet to receive Rs 300 crore from the state.